Monthly Archives: March 2017

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? (Proverbs 20:6)

I had many friends while living in the apartment building of them Myleah and I were closest of all. It took a while before I had another best friend after we moved away. I went through two years in a house that was increasingly hard for me to get around in and I was at a school where I didn’t know anyone. Because of my trouble walking I felt more like the class service project at times than I did an average fourth grader. Finally we moved into a one story house but it meant changing schools again at the time of the biggest change in my life. After about a year using my wheelchair at school only; at home I could barely walk from room to room without having to sit down. It came to a point where I couldn’t get around without my wheelchair. At that time it was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I got through it by seeing that kids still wanted to be my friend even though I was different. Some kids only liked me because I was different and some kids made fun of me but that didn’t matter because I learned quickly who my true friends were. I had a friend David who quickly became my best friend. He would often spend the night at my house. He was the single most influential person in helping me accept my new lot in life. Not only did he influence me to accept it but helped my mom to open up and see that things would be ok. Life can be good no matter what circumstances we are confronted with. I remember mom never wanting to leave us alone at different places like the movies or mall. David would tell her stuff like, “We can take care of ourselves we are just at the mall and will call or find help if anything happens.” I finally knew things were ok when she let me and him go fishing alone at the Mississippi River dam a mile from home. I felt free so we packed up our lunch, bait and fishing poles before she could change her mind. After a few great years being friends with David we parted ways when his family moved and we moved to South Carolina. Everyone didn’t use cell phones yet and the internet was brand new so we lost contact. I have never forgotten Him because or friendship helped me in every friendship I’ve had from that point on.

Christ brought freedom for every one of us. It was for freedom that Christ set us free (Gal. 5:1). This may not mean we are free in every sense of the word; but we are free from sin and free to let Christ into our lives. As we come to Him we will learn to be free even if we find ourselves chained to circumstance. David taught me that freedom can be found even in the worst situation we find ourselves in. He was an advocate for me; a loyal friend who showed me there is life happening all around us if we choose to take part in it. I found a truly reliable friend and I treasured his advice. Like only a few friends I’ve had David was one who stuck to me closer than a brother especially when it felt like no one was there I could count on him (Prv. 18:24). A friend is always loyal and a brother is born to help in our time of need (Prv. 17:17). David was my friend and brother because he helped me through my greatest time of need. Like myself David was not the most popular kid at school but certainly had a loyalty that I’ve rarely seen since him. This most of all is what kept our friendship strong because we could count on eachother when life was hard. It is better to be poor than to be dishonest (Prv. 19:22). To have a loyal friend means that we should be loyal to them in return. The Lord has been a loyal friend to humanity because He is always true to His word. He detests lying lips and delights in us when we are trustworthy (Prv. 12:22). This is a rare quality to find in others and I was greatly blessed to experience it in my friendship with David.

Not all friends have been loyal to us in fact they have hurt us in life more than they could have possibly helped us. Only the Lord can heal the wounds in our heart caused by relationships that have been anything but perfect. The Lord wants to turn our hurts around into victories so that we can use our freedom to show the proper way to be a friend. Those who have hurt us only did so because they were hurt in their past or hurt by us in some way. Either reason makes little difference what matters is the changes we make today to walk away from our hurts and to stop hurting others.

Lord help us to find honest and reliable people to share our lives with. In return help us to be trustworthy and loyal to our friends so we can share in the freedom that we have found in Jesus Christ. I ask that we would give and receive sound advice grounded in godly wisdom that needs to be communicated in order for us to bring freedom to one another. This is the favorable time of the Lord to mend broken hearts and set people free from their captivity. We want to do our part to give and receive the blessings of the Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Tuesdays Torch has been viewed in countries all across the globe through our website and social media. We pray the words of every Torch will sink into the hearts and minds of readers. Please share Tuesdays Torch and encourage others with it. To partner with Tuesdays Torch and help expand our reach please contact us. We pray the Lord will touch our readers. All of what Christ did was so we would believe. He told us not to believe because of what He said but in what He did (John 14:11). Every Tuesday we talk about what He did and is still doing. The best thing God’s done is send His Son so we could be saved (John 3:16). If anyone is not a believer we pray they will invite the Lord into their lives by asking Him to forgive their sins and believing that He is the Son of God. Please share testimonies, feedback or encouraging words by email at: tuesdaystorch@gmail.com we enjoy hearing from you. Look out for next Tuesdays Torch on our website http://www.tuesdaystorch.com , by email, on Facebook as Tuesdays Torch or Twitter @tuesdaystorch Thanks and God Bless!

No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. Luke 8:16

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. (Luke 18:17)

When we met the Cramptons we were living in an apartment building with eleven two bedroom units in it. Many families came and went through the years so I had many friends while living there. Michael and his little brother Steven we’re good friends of mine who lived in the building. We would most often play in the fenced area for kids, the field behind and beside the apartment. When there was bad weather we roamed around in the halls and stairwells or played at their house or ours. Eventually our parents became better friends and we’d have cook outs or watch ballgames together. When I was in kindergarten I met Tony who lived a couple houses down across the street. He was my first best friend, we were in the same class at the Baptist school, our parents took turns driving us to school and we hung out all the time. We went outside a lot or played in the basement at his house. Tony moved sometime after kindergarten when I switched to public school and his family moved into a bigger house. Despite our best efforts I only seen him a couple times after he moved and we lost touch. I lost my first best friend and there was nothing I could do about it. The next summer Myleah and Nate moved in on the third floor with their mom Leah. When we met their grandmother was with them, it was a hot day and I remember she bought us all a treat from the ice cream truck. Myleah and I were the same age and from day one we were almost inseparable. If we weren’t at school or sleeping we were likely hanging out somewhere. Her mom worked late so when we came home from school sometimes she was afraid to be home alone. I would inspect the apartment for hidden danger, have a snack and watch TV with her most days. After a few years my family moved out of the building but our moms became close so we remained friends. Through my earlier years she was my girl, we shared some of loves inoccent romantic moments and were the closest of friends until my family left Minnesota when I was fourteen.

Friendship seems so much easier for young children. They might meet someone in the neighborhood or at school today and be best friends tomorrow. Kids like who they like without questioning and accept one another no matter what. This is how we should accept the kingdom of heaven if we believe in God. I bring us to my childhood home so we can learn the lessons and gain sweet insight from them (Sg. 8:2). Good friends are hard to find and I’ve learned the younger we are the better quality friendships we share. I learned that the Lord is our best friend; He has been my hope and I have trusted him since I was a child (Ps. 71:5). My love for the Lord was something Myleah and I shared in common. For a while I went to church with them one night a week because I liked their childrens ministry. As children we talked, thought and reasoned as a child but when we grew up we put our childish ways to rest (1 Cor. 13:11). This verse seems to contradict having childlike faith but it is possible to grow up and still hold on to that part that believes without questioning that God is real. What we most need to do is stopping our childish thinking but keep innocent as an infant in regards to evil (1 Cor. 14:20). Children do things without much thought which may be part of why it is easier for them to make friends or believe things. It is also why they misbehave and that is the line as adults we don’t want to cross. As a child I cared greatly and learned to love others through the first friends I shared my life and my relationship with the Lord (1 Thes. 2:7-8). The love Myleah and I shared spilled over into our families; her Grandmother and my Grandpa Bob dated for the last years of his life. This gave us a better friendship then the one we already had.

Many of us are grown and set in our ways and thought patterns but we can grow up more. We can reject evil thoughts and go back to believing God like we never had a reason to doubt Him. As adults we over think some things that are simple and under think what needs our careful thought. We must learn to walk the line of innocent child like faith with enough maturity for us to stay out of trouble. Those who think too little need to think more in context to godly thought; those who over think need a simple approach with their faith.

Lord I ask that the friends I have made in my lifetime would enjoy good health, that life would treat them kindly and their soul would be fulfilled. Please help us to think like we should and to keep innocent of everything evil that tries to enter our heart or mind. May we always remember the lessons we’ve learned in our lives and relationships so that we would grow up into your image and likeness. It’s in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Tuesdays Torch has been viewed in countries all across the globe through our website and social media. We pray the words of every Torch will sink into the hearts and minds of readers. Please share Tuesdays Torch and encourage others with it. To partner with Tuesdays Torch and help expand our reach please contact us. We pray the Lord will touch our readers. All of what Christ did was so we would believe. He told us not to believe because of what He said but in what He did (John 14:11). Every Tuesday we talk about what He did and is still doing. The best thing God’s done is send His Son so we could be saved (John 3:16). If anyone is not a believer we pray they will invite the Lord into their lives by asking Him to forgive their sins and believing that He is the Son of God. Please share testimonies, feedback or encouraging words by email at: tuesdaystorch@gmail.com we enjoy hearing from you. Look out for next Tuesdays Torch on our website http://www.tuesdaystorch.com , by email, on Facebook as Tuesdays Torch or Twitter @tuesdaystorch Thanks and God Bless!

No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. Luke 8:16

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

Before Living Word my family went to Grace Evangelical Free Church. We met quite a few families there some of which we still talk to thirty-five years later. Out of these people we became great friends with the Cramptons. We meet them when my dad joined the prayer ministry at church and Rose Crampton was a member of his team. Shortly after my dad was telling her about having the gift of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues. She wanted to know more so he arranged for her to come to our apartment to meet Grandpa Bob and pray to receive the Holy Spirit. She received Him and lives a powerful Spirit filled life to this day. After that my mom and dad became best friends with Rose and her husband Brian and they have three kids; April, Robert and Ben. We would meet them after church at McDonald’s for ice cream cones and extended fellowship. I’m not sure if their family or ours went to Living Word first but we started going there together because it was a better fit for our beliefs. When my brother and I were young they would babysit us and soon April took over that job because it paid so well. All joking aside I’m sure the pay was hardly worth some of the torcher we put her through and sometimes she had her brothers to look after also. When we were little kids Ben and Robert had minimal interaction with Joe and me because of our differences in age. Brian shockingly passed away while out of town on business and their world was turned upside down. I was older and a bit more mature after that happened and Ben became my cool older friend; He’d say he wasn’t to cool though with his home movies and wood panel minivan. When I was in middle school Ben was in high school; sometimes him and Robert would come pick me up. We would get pizza or a sub, we went to the mall, movies and would cruise around listening to music we weren’t supposed to like. Though we are spread throughout the country Ben, Robert, April, Brian, Rose and her new husband John Lucht are more than great friends they are family. We haven’t all met up for many years but when we get to it’s like no time has passed.

A lot has changed through the years for their family and ours. We all left Minnesota, Rose remarried, April and Ben got married and started families, my parents separated and Joe passed away. In the past ten years our families have met up in some way probably half a dozen times. Our families are devoted to being lifelong friends in the name of the Lord. We have seen a new generation grow up, shared our stories of friendship and God moments with them. When we part we go in peace knowing that no matter the time or distance between us we have true friendship with them (1 Sm. 20:42). Our families had close companionship because of our beliefs and lifestyle. For a time we had sweet fellowship in the house of God with them among the other worshipers (Ps. 55:13-14). The friendship we have is first to follow the Lord so we will grow closer to Him (Ps. 119:63). All who truly fear the Lord are good friends for us to share our lives with. Friends love at all times and a brother is born for a time of adversity (Prv. 17:17). My brother was my best friend but the Crampton’s showed me love in many ways also. Unreliable friends may bring us to ruin but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Ben and Robert are my brothers from another mother. We are commanded to love one another like this and no one has greater love than to lay our life down for a friend. We are friends of God if we follow His command but He is our greatest friend because of His sacrifice and everything He knows He shows to us (Jn. 15:12-15). Our friendship with the Lord is best when shared with others so they may know His love and we may enjoy Him together.

Great friendships that last a life time are hard to find and harder to keep but if we trust that God is our true friend first we will be surrounded by others who love Him to and will be good friends for us. To have good friends we must be willing be good friends to others. A good companion always follows the command to love and follows the word of the Lord. We can always rely on a true friend because they will likely be closer to us than or own families.

Lord relationships with others can be messy. It is often hard to have friends and even harder to be the kind of friend you want us to be. Help us Lord to love people in our lives like we should and surround us with people who will be good friends so together we can grow more in you. Mostly God we say thank you for being our friend and laying it all down so that we can hang out with you forever. In Jesus name, Amen.

Tuesdays Torch has been viewed in countries all across the globe through our website and social media. We pray the words of every Torch will sink into the hearts and minds of readers. Please share Tuesdays Torch and encourage others with it. To partner with Tuesdays Torch and help expand our reach please contact us. We pray the Lord will touch our readers. All of what Christ did was so we would believe. He told us not to believe because of what He said but in what He did (John 14:11). Every Tuesday we talk about what He did and is still doing. The best thing God’s done is send His Son so we could be saved (John 3:16). If anyone is not a believer we pray they will invite the Lord into their lives by asking Him to forgive their sins and believing that He is the Son of God. Please share testimonies, feedback or encouraging words by email at: tuesdaystorch@gmail.com we enjoy hearing from you. Look out for next Tuesdays Torch on our website http://www.tuesdaystorch.com , by email, on Facebook as Tuesdays Torch or Twitter @tuesdaystorch Thanks and God Bless!

No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. Luke 8:16